Shining at the halter

WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Months of hard work and hours of practice paid off for Tessa and Stella Schmocker Aug. 6. Each girl stood at the top of her age division in showmanship before Tessa went on to win the supreme showmanship class in the junior show at the Wisconsin State Fair. The victory was extra sweet in that this was Tessa’s final year exhibiting as a junior.

“It was really exciting,” Tessa said. “When you get to 19-year-olds, we’ve all done this for a long time, and it could honestly be anyone. Winning supreme was really cool. Every kid in there is so fantastic at showing, and it was awesome to be top overall.”

Competing with about 70 kids in one of the largest age divisions, Stella said it was a surreal experience to come out on top for the 16-year-olds.

“Some of the best leadsman in our industry are in that age division,” Stella said. “There are past World Dairy Expo showmanship winners and kids who lead at sales. It’s tough. I knew I was good, but I never thought I would win.”

Tessa and Stella are the daughters of Dave and Nina Schmocker. The Schmockers milk about 10 show cows and raise 25-30 heifers near Whitewater. Tessa is a sophomore at Iowa State University studying business analytics with a goal of working in the dairy industry.

Tessa and her sister shared the ring when vying for the title of supreme showman, with Stella placing fifth overall.

“I was really excited to do it alongside my sister and see her do so well also,” Tessa said. “We’re both very competitive. We spend a lot of time getting those heifers broke for showmanship. I see how much work my sister puts in, and she was really deserving to be in there. It was fun to be in the ring together; you don’t see that very often.”

It was Stella’s first time competing in the supreme showmanship class.

“It’s kind of always been my biggest dream to win my age division,” Stella said.

About 380 junior dairy exhibitors competed in ages 12-19 showmanship classes at the

175th Wisconsin State Fair. Reserve supreme showman was Benjamin Uhe, third overall was Alex Vande Hey, and fourth overall was Kylee Badtke.

Sharing the supreme showmanship experience with her sister was memorable for Stella also.

“Having the opportunity to go in with my sister was really special,” Stella said. “She’s my best friend, and I was so happy for her and elated to see her win supreme. She deserves it. She works incredibly hard every day and earns every single piece of her success.”

Her sister’s character is another quality Stella said she admires.

“I look up to her so much, not just as a showman or her work ethic, but because of the person she is,” Stella said. “Tessa is someone you can go to if you need help with anything. She’s so kind.”

The Schmocker sisters are devoted to continuously refining their craft.

“It really takes a lot of practice at home,” Tessa said. “You can work with different heifers to practice showmanship, but you see kids do better with animals they worked with for a long time.”

Tessa worked with her summer yearling since the animal was 4 months old.

“Having that bond with your animal and knowing their quirks is important for showmanship,” she said. “Are they going to switch feet fast enough or what do I have to do to help with that?”

Tessa talked about traits that helped her stand out as supreme showman.

“One thing I really focus on is walking in step with my heifer,” she said. “I see a lot of kids who start to crouch down and shuffle and don’t take long, confident strides. When my heifer moves her right foot, I move my right foot. I’m standing up straight. I try to give my heifer enough space where she’s comfortable, but where I can still do everything I need to with my halter. I’ve always loved showmanship.”

In 2024, Tessa won her division as a 17-year-old and was fourth overall supreme. How she holds her animal’s head is an area Tessa said she has improved over the years.

“As a kid, I had my elbow up all the time and had the heifer’s head maybe too high, her nose too high, and I really learned how to fix that head carriage,” Tessa said. “I was maybe a little too competitive, not calm enough. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to mellow out and appear calmer and more relaxed.”

Tessa said she learned tips from watching great showmen like Kylie Nickels and Mandi Bue. But it was the late Katie Coyne who introduced Tessa to the art of showing cattle.

“Katie really ignited that fire in me to do showmanship,” Tessa said. “I call her the showmanship queen. She used to do clinics across the country, and she was always giving me tips and pushing me to be better. She was fantastic.”

Tessa’s advice to a younger exhibitor is to practice every day.

“(Do) not only normal walking but also practice routines and motions of the showmanship class,” she said. “Walk into the ring forward in step with your heifer. Then pretend the last kid came in and turn around and walk backwards. Practice setting up their feet and switching feet. Have a parent or sibling nearby so your heifer is comfortable with people, like the judge, moving around.”

Good posture is one of the qualities Stella said helped her stand out in the 16-year-old division with her spring yearling.

“Posture has become a lost art in showmanship,” Stella said. “I see many kids crossing their legs when they show. When I train my heifers, I train like we’re in that showmanship class. I make sure I’m walking in step with my heifer, walking straight, not crossing my legs. I feel I’m very comfortable.”

Stella said helping younger showmen improve is important to her.

“I want younger kids to know they never have to be afraid to ask any of us who are winning showmanship for help,” Stella said. “I guarantee we will all give some help in any form or fashion. A good showman in my head is someone who also has a good heart and cares for other people. They’re unselfish.”